For Sara Tennison, a call to hospice care came during one of the most difficult times in her nursing career. While working on the COVID floor of her local hospital, she witnessed more loss in a single year than in her previous 15 years combined. “I watched people suffer, begging for help, and I felt helpless,” Sara shared. “It took a toll on my mental health and my family. I prayed for guidance—and when I was approached about a job with Compassus, I knew it was the answer to my prayers.”
Sara found renewed purpose in hospice care. “People die whether we are there or not—so why not be there to help them through it?” she said. “With hospice, I can offer comfort, support and peace.”
As a Hospice Care Transition Coordinator, Sara listens carefully to patients and families to understand their needs, collaborating with both the hospital team and hospice team to ensure a smooth and compassionate transition home. “Care for who I am means caring for the person—not just the disease. Every person is different, and it’s our job to listen to what matters to them.”
Sara finds deep meaning in her work. One of her most memorable experiences involved helping a woman with metastatic disease find peace in a local hospice house. Months later, the patient’s mother hugged Sara at a remembrance service, thanking her through tears. “As a CTC, we don’t always get a lot of time with families. So when they remember you—it reminds you just how important this work really is.”
For Sara, motivation comes from witnessing the relief families feel once they understand the support hospice can offer. “Seeing the difference our team makes keeps me going. I also love being able to support our hospital partners—I know firsthand how stressful that environment can be.”
Sara, thank you for living our Compassus values and bringing comfort and clarity to patients and families when they need it most.
